There's one big reason to visit: the '''rapids''' rushing through the gorge below. There are observation platforms on the highway and near the train stations if you're content to gaze from a distance, but more daring types will venture down onto the Yoshino River for a sightseeing cruise (&yen;2000 for a one-hour loop), and more adventurous types yet will try their hand at '''white-water rafting''' in the class 4 rapids. The rapids are Japan's biggest and most exciting, with amazing rock formations and crystal clear waters.

There's one big reason to visit: the '''rapids''' rushing through the gorge below. There are observation platforms on the highway and near the train stations if you're content to gaze from a distance, but more daring types will venture down onto the Yoshino River for a sightseeing cruise (&yen;2000 for a one-hour loop), and more adventurous types yet will try their hand at '''white-water rafting''' in the class 4 rapids. The rapids are Japan's biggest and most exciting, with amazing rock formations and crystal clear waters.

* <sleep name="Ku-Nel-Asob" alt="空音遊 Kūneruasobu" address="" directions="" phone="090-9778-7133" email="" fax="" url="http://www.k-n-a.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="&yen;2000, with extra for using the kitchen"> A new hostel in Oboke &mdash; the name means literally "eat, sleep and have fun". The owner is friendly and speaks great English.</sleep>

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* <sleep name="Ku-Nel-Asob" alt="空音遊 Kūneruasobu" address="" directions="" phone="+81 090-9778-7133" email="" fax="" url="http://www.k-n-a.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="&yen;2000, with extra for using the kitchen"> A new hostel in Oboke &mdash; the name means literally "eat, sleep and have fun". The owner is friendly and speaks great English.</sleep>

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Revision as of 04:43, 30 September 2009

Rafting in the Yoshino River

Ōboke (大歩危) and Koboke (小歩危) mean, respectively, "big steps dangerous" and "small steps dangerous" — an apt description of the perils of traversing through these steep gorges on foot.

Contents

Get in

By road

It is strongly recommended to travel in this area by car. If you get there by train, you'll have a long walk along a noisy road without sidewalks. It is also hard to find entry points for hiking trails without a car. Unfortunately, the nearest car rentals are located quite far away: Marugame, Takamatsu, and Tokushima.

National Highway 32 winds along the Yoshino River through the pristine valley. Coming from Osaka, Kobe or Tokushima, take the expressway and exit at Ikeda. Then follow route 32 towards Kochi for about 20 kilometres to Oboke.

By train

Both Oboke and Koboke have stations on the JR Dosan Line from Kochi to Takamatsu via Ikeda. Stops in Koboke are rare, though.

By bus

Buses to the Iya Valley run sparsely, especially on weekdays (around 2 per day).

See & Do

There's one big reason to visit: the rapids rushing through the gorge below. There are observation platforms on the highway and near the train stations if you're content to gaze from a distance, but more daring types will venture down onto the Yoshino River for a sightseeing cruise (¥2000 for a one-hour loop), and more adventurous types yet will try their hand at white-water rafting in the class 4 rapids. The rapids are Japan's biggest and most exciting, with amazing rock formations and crystal clear waters.

If you survive the experience without developing acute hydrophobia, both Oboke and Koboke have onsenhot springs offering more bubbling water to soak in.

Buy

Boke-Mart is a normal grocery store, but probably the best place to stock up before heading into Iya Valley. It's near JR Oboke Station.

Eat & Drink

The local specialties are ayu and amego, delicious river fish salted and barbequed on a stick.

Sleep

Happy Guest House, Iwahara Otoyo-cho Kochi (1 min walk from Tosa-Iwahara station), ☎+81 0887-750-500, [2]. Overlooking the Yoshino River, the Happy Guest House is a great place to unwind, with private rooms and a self-contained kitchen.¥2500.

Inside Ku-Nel-Asob

Ku-Nel-Asob (空音遊 Kūneruasobu), ☎+81 090-9778-7133, [3]. A new hostel in Oboke — the name means literally "eat, sleep and have fun". The owner is friendly and speaks great English.¥2000, with extra for using the kitchen.

Get out

Iya Valley, with more scenic views and some great hiking too, is just across the tunnel from Oboke.